Did IRS target liberal, tea party groups equally?

Some Democrats are starting to make the case that the IRS targeted liberal groups as well as tea party groups.

Protesters accuse the IRS of targeting groups for their political beliefs. (File photo)

Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., has written to the Treasury Department Inspector General to ask why a report that blasted the IRS for targeting groups with “Tea Party” in their name did not mention that the IRS also had done computer searches to find groups with “Israel,” “Progressive” and “Occupy” in their names.

The IRS determines whether such groups qualify for tax-exempt status. Allegations that the tax agency targeted groups for their political leanings have led to multiple resignations and intense congressional hearings. But until now, the focus has been on allegations that the IRS singled out conservative groups.

Danny Werfel, who has taken over the IRS in the wake of the scandal, recently disclosed that IRS computer searches included the “liberal” terms and that the activity continued until this month.

“There was a wide-ranging set of categories and cases that spanned a broad spectrum,” Mr. Werfel said in a conference call with reporters, according to the Associated Press.

Mr. Werfel said he ordered an immediate halt to the practice.

In his letter, Rep. Levin said the Inspector General’s report “served as the basis and impetus for a wide range of congressional investigations and this new information shows that the foundation of those investigations is flawed in a fundamental way.”

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